Parking fine sours community effort

A STOURPORT woman who suffers from multiple sclerosis has accused the police of lacking in Christmas spirit after being given a parking ticket while trying to do a seasonal favour for the town.

Sara Foster had been delivering festive treats to be handed out to revellers at the Christmas lights switch-on and parade on Friday.

She was handed a £30 fixed penalty charge by a police officer when she left her car parked in York Street at 1pm.

She admitted parking illegally for 20 minutes while dropping off 21 litres of mulled wine, mince pies, chocolates and decorations at Severn Valley Home Brew store, owned by her son, Steven Barnes.

She had decided to enter in to the community spirit of the switch-on celebrations by giving out the goodies to families.

She also tried to add to the town's festive look by decking out the shop with a Christmas tree and decorations.

The 42-year-old explained: "The whole situation is just sad. I had forgotten to pick up a Christmas tree for the shop so I quickly went around the corner to buy one.

"I am not disputing that I was parked illegally but I just wish the officer could have used more common sense. There is simply no way I could have dropped everything off without parking there.

"I did not have my hazard lights on, but I was not blocking anything or parked dangerously on zigzags or anything like that. It was left unattended for 10 minutes."

Mr Barnes, who has run the business for three months, said he had been told parking for deliveries would be excused.

The 24-year-old added: "I did try to explain why the car was parked there but the officer would not listen. He said it was too late because the ticket had already been issued.

"We were trying to do something for the town and this has spoilt it. It has made me wonder whether it was all worth the hassle."

Mrs Foster, who lives in Brindley Street, is entitled to a disabled parking pass, which would enable her to park in restricted areas, because of her illness, but has declined the offer.

She explained: "It is something I feel very strongly about. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred I can do what I have got to do. I do not really need it and would be taking spaces off people who need them."

Sgt Chris Aimes, who works in Stourport, said police patrols in the town had been stepped up because of complaints from traders.

He explained: "We have recently received a number of complaints from businesses who have claimed that their delivery drivers have been unable to stop because of cars parked thoughtlessly and in contravention of parking restrictions.

"Anyone who chooses to ignore those restrictions should not be surprised if they receive a parking ticket."

He added: "Clearly, if someone believes they should not have received a ticket they can either contest it in court or write to the central ticket office. If they have genuine grounds for the ticket being withdrawn, the central ticket office will give consideration to that."

Mrs Foster, who has five children and two grandchildren, said she intended to send a letter to explain the situation to the police but described the idea of going to court as "ludicrous".